BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Council Rock North topples improving Abington

By Tim Hindinthindin@montgomerynews.com

Posted:
04/07/2014 10:35:32 PM EDT

It took Abington some time to put its complete roster together this season as players such as Anthony Lee missed the beginning of the season due to the basketball team making it to the state semifinal game. Because of the absence of players such as Lee, Abington stumbled out of gate.

The athletic Ghosts team looks to be finally hitting its stride as it lost a tough battle to perennial Suburban One National Conference powerhouse Council Rock North three games to one on Monday.

The Ghosts came out with a burst of adrenaline, swiping the first set off the Indians, 25-23, scoring the final point on a big stuff-block from Mark Bond. Bond ended the day with 10 kills and eight blocks.

"I think game one their energy was just off the charts,' Council Rock coach Greg Marchetti said. "No matter what we did, we could not match their energy.'

In the final three games the Indians made some adjustments and neutralized the Abington block that was dominant in the first game. North got big contributions juniors Josh Hinton and Nick Reich and sophomore Will Desautelle as the trio combined for 34 kills, 17 coming from Hinton.

"I was surprised to see how disciplined their blocking was early on,' Marchetti said. "When they were getting touches at the net, they were really good touches.'

The Ghosts countered with a killing trio of their own as Lee, Bond and Jason Toomey combined 27 kills, 10 apiece for Bond and Lee. Libero Tim Seydel helped set them up as he tallied 32 assists on the day.

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"This is his first year, [he's] a senior, he's the star basketball player, quarterback for the football team here, and this is his first year playing,' Abington coach Jae Lee said of Anthony Lee. "He's been playing for a week and half.'

It was hard for the Ghosts to gain momentum throughout the final three games as it was constantly playing from behind. Three to four-point scoring runs were only getting the Ghosts back to even at best. By consistently trailing in the games, it led to a bit of dejection while also causing some unforced errors.

"The last three sets when we're about four or five points [down], I saw a lot of faces down, I saw a lot disheartened hearts,' Lee said. "But the leadership from Tim Seydel, our captain, he brought everyone back.'

It looked as if Abington was going to force a fifth and deciding game as it took a 21-16 lead in the fourth game and appeared to cruising. CR North then ended the set out on a 9-2 run, winning the game and ending the Abington upset bid while getting its record back to .500 at 3-3 after losing its first three matches of the season.

"I'm actually surprised the way we started in the first four games [of the season],' Lee said. "I thought it was going to take me about five or six games to be somewhat competitive in our strong Suburban One National league.'

The road doesn't get any easier for the Ghosts as they still have matches this week against National powers Pennsbury and Neshaminy. Abington will get another chance to see Council Rock North when it travels to Newtown next Thursday.